Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-04-11
How Shall Criminals Die?
SCIENTISTS TELL WHY THEY THINK
ELECTRICITY SHOULD BE ADOPTED AS
THE SIMPLEST METHOD.

The hanging of Mrs Roxalana Druse
has revived the interest OF scientists phy-
slcians and humanitarianS generally in the
subject of capital punishment and the
hest means of carrying the death sentence
into effect. That the hangman and the
gallows are relics of barbarous past is
conceded by everyone. but the substitu
tion OF a less revolving. if not of more
humane, agent for the inhic,ion Of pun
Shment in capital cases is seemingly as
tar removed as ever. Considerable time
and money have been spent by en'husas-
tic Investigators with the aim of discover
ing some means of APPLYING knowledge
Of modern science to the desired result.
but beyond the appointment OF commits
sion to make records but little has been
done in a practical way. The substitutes
proposed have been electricity. poison, the
guilotine and the garrote. From inter-
views had recently by representative of
the Mail and Express with gentlemen in
terested in the subject, it is evident that
the last two-the gullotine and the gar
rote-will never replace the rope. De-
capitation, it is claimed, would not be
tolerated in this enlightened age in con-
sequence of its revolving details That it
is speedy and sure. and is unattended bv
pain, is admitted, but the word 'horribe"
is too significant to admit of its coming
into use in this country. The garrote, it
is claimed is too much like hanging to
replace the present mode OF infctIng the
death penalty. The effect of the pin
in the collar of the garrote, it is
further stated, is precisely the same
as that of the hangman's knot-both
produce pressure upon the spinal cord.
and when skilfully adjusted effect instan-
taneous death. AS with hanging, how
ever. if an execution by the garrote is
bungled the pain is very great and the
death of the victim is sickening to behold,
The question of substitutes, then, is
narrowed down to choice between poison
and electricity.
In the matter of poisons. it is suggested
that those substances can be used which
will DESTROY life, either by chemical action
upon the tissues of the body or by
physiological action by absorption into
the system. As the action desired, how
ever, is instantaneous. hvdrocyanic or
prussic acid has been placed first on the
| list. 1t is most powerful and rapidly
fatal. 1t is Il neurotic and has been called
the lightning poison SO powerful is
this acid that even in state of vapor it
will cause instant death in birds. Many
experiments have been made upon ami
mails OF the lower order with this poison
and its advocates assert that death by its
use would lose all its terriers
Electricity, however, has the greatest
number of supporters and advocates and
it is believed will be the plan adopted
when a change is made-by all nations
and in all lands. This agent is recognized
by all as being the most humane, reliable
and expeditions known. The trouble in
connection with it is i mode OF applica-
lion. An electrician in England suggests
the use of casket in which, under the
influence of a powerful narcotic. the con
demned can be placed, executed and after
wards buried, A German physician adj
vocates the use OF a harness which is to
be connected with powerful dynamoA
There are others who think bed or
rack, hemlet, or a specially arranged
CELL might best be used. Each, however,
advocate the same means, and it is the
opinion of nearly all who have studied the
matter that the method suggested by DR..
A. P. Southwick, of Buffalo, is the most